Ahren Lester

World Bank warns of SLB greenwashing risk from 'structural loopholes'

The World Bank encouraged the market to consider expanding the role of external reviewers for sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) to cover their structure, after research identified "structural loopholes" which pose a greenwashing risk for the market.

UK regulator warns financials they face climate risk supervisory escalation

Banks and insurers have been warned by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) they face an escalation in supervisory pressure if they fail to address climate-related financial risk appropriately.

Austria offers green short-dated debt 'missing link'

After its ground-breaking green T-Bill issuance, Austria has further plans to tackle the short-term debt challenge in green markets. Ahren Lester reports

Honesty on transition challenges, failures is 'antithesis' of greenwashing

Being honest around what has led to failures to achieve transition targets is the "antithesis of greenwashing" but remains relatively uncommon among corporates at present, according to Impax Asset Management (AM).

Loan round-up: Mercedes-Benz, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Grit, FLSmidth ... and more

ELFA, LMA update ESG leverage finance disclosure guide

Two trade associations have updated their environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure guidance for the leveraged finance industry, including a new chapter on ESG litigation risk.

Corporate transition plans need CFRF 'climate dashboard' equivalent

Corporate transition plan reporting would benefit from a 'climate disclosure dashboard' similar to that developed by the Climate Financial Risk Forum (CFRF) for financial institutions, according to Impax Asset Management (AM).

Bond round-up: CDB, Austria, AFD, BayernLB, New York, OPEC Fund ... and more

ISSB targets adoption of global baseline standards 'as soon as they are finalised'

The IFRS Foundation hopes that the sustainability reporting guidelines being developed by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) will be adopted as a global baseline "as soon as" they are finalised.

EM financial institution green bond impact reporting study published

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Environmental Finance have published a report that provides a detailed snapshot of trends in emerging market (EM) financial institution green bond impact reporting.